About us

Everyone should feel a sense of connection and belonging. At Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre, our role is to support a vibrant, inclusive and connected community by providing a wide range of programs, social activities and volunteer opportunities that bring people together. We provide the opportunity for people to mix, learn and support one another and strengthen community spirit and connection.

Research shows that loneliness and social isolation have significant impacts on our well-being. Feeling lonely is not the same as being alone, but instead is a feeling of disconnection to those people around you. Participating in a regular social activity, engaging with your local neighbours or volunteering can provide meaningful connections that enrich your life and build your community.

Role of neighbourhood houses

The Neighbourhood House movement began in the early 1970s as part of a wider social change led by women seeking access to learning opportunities and community activities. Today there are more than 400 neighbourhood houses across Victoria providing activities to more than 200,00 Victorians each week.

Neighbourhood houses are community-led organisations, governed by community members. No two houses are the same as each house builds on the strengths and the needs of the local community they serve.

Volunteers remain at the heart of neighbourhood houses and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise that benefit their local community. Neighbourhood houses also require dedicated staff to identify and build community development initiatives, seek and manage funding opportunities and create partnership strategies. Learn more about our volunteers making a difference.

What we offer

At Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre we offer a wide range of programs and activities for the local community and our facilities can be accessed by people of all abilities.

Our activities include:

Term-based courses
Short workshops and events
Children’s programs and school holiday workshops
Social groups and activities
Meeting rooms and venue hire including registered kitchen, art room and separate workshop
Community garden
Community services such as digital mentors, reading library
Referrals and local information
Coordination of the Canterbury Community Precinct

Our people

Daily management of CNC is the responsibility of employed staff, assisted by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Tracey Martin
Centre Manager
manager@canterburync.au

Kate Clark
Community Engagement
engagement@canterburync.au

Caitlin Macdonald
Administration and Finance
office@canterburync.au

Josie Roker
Administration
office@canterburync.au

Our history

Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre Inc (CNC) was established in 1981 as a not-for-profit community organisation, run by a small administration team and governed by a volunteer Board of Management. For 41 years, the Centre has operated out a shared spaces across Canterbury. In March 2023, we moved into to our first dedicated home in the Canterbury Community Precinct, set within the beautiful Canterbury Gardens.

Programs

As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to providing accessible programs for all ages. We value and support the expertise of our tutors and therefore rely on program income to support our activities. Where possible we keep our program fees low to ensure they are available and accessible. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact our Manager for assistance.

Our support

CNC relies on program income from courses offered to the community, as well as funding support from the City of Boroondara and State government through the Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH).

CNC is governed by a volunteer Board comprising or people who live and work in the local area.

CNC Annual Report 2024 (PDF)
CNC Annual Report 2023 (PDF)
CNC Annual Report 2022 (PDF)
CNC Annual Report 2021 (PDF)

Members

As an incorporated association, CNC is required to maintain membership and hold an annual general meeting open to all members.

CNC charges a small annual membership fee of $15 to assist in the day-to-day running of the Centre and activities. This membership is essential to supporting a vibrant community.

Membership provides a range of benefits including:

Access to CNC courses, social groups and activities
Discounted tickets to workshops or special events
Email newsletter
Free trials of any of our classes or courses
Access to our Community Garden
Tea and coffee during opening hours, access to our library
Invitations to member activities and events
Volunteer opportunities at the Centre

Membership is paid annually and can be paid at the start of the calendar year or anytime when enrolling in one of our programs. For children’s activities, we suggest one parent pays for membership